Where does When Will There Be Good News? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Overall it is hard to say. It really makes no sense to say that it is better or not as good as say the Adrian Mckinty, Sean Duffy or Michael Forsythe books. But I can say it passes the 'am I sorry the book is finished' test.

Who was your favorite character and why?

That is tough to say as well. Ms. Atkinson draws characters as well as any author I have ever read. Jo Hunter, Reggie and of course Jackson Brodie are so well drawn. They are very interesting characters. Reggie is the most sympathetic.

Have you listened to any of Ellen Archer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. But it was a terrific performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Jo Hunter manages to free herself and her baby was a real relief.

Any additional comments?

I really hope that Ms. Atkinson keeps Jackson Brodie alive and kicking. It would be interesting to see his back story fleshed out. Should be noted that I have not finished Left Early...

Especially tragic, because it sounds to me as if this narrator would be very good with the right material, but a variety pack of UK accents ain't it! The story is very good, and I didn't want to miss another book in the series (had to skip the last one because it was ABRIDGED! I KNOW!) but the wandering, indistinct accents had me on the edge of bailing throughout. Honestly, without the place names I'm not sure I'd be able to pinpoint where these people were from. If such things bother you, spare yourself.

Several reviewers commented on the narrator's accent. Since I'm not British I don't know from correct accents, so it sounded great to me. I got hooked on Kate Atkinson after I read Life After Life, which I think was a work of genius.

When I started listening I thought there was somethjing wong with my iPod. The narration sounded stilted. The I realised the problem was with the narrator herself trying to 'do' an English accent. I could only listen for a short while. I ended up geting another version from the public library.

After the fact, I read the reviews and saw that this was something that others had commented on. Oh well, better luck in the future!

Not really, it was a very light thriller in that it was enjoyable to listen to but if you perfer more intense ones you may not like it that much. It was kind of quirky but in a light and pleasant way. I liked the 'British

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I liked it. Its hard to say more wihtout giving it away. I am glad Reggie wound up ok.

Which character – as performed by Ellen Archer – was your favorite?

I liked Reggie the best. Archer did an excellent job with all the characters and personalities. You could always tell who was talking.

Did When Will There Be Good News? inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

There were a lot of subplots in the story and many things that should be really intense. It managed not to be, but it was still nice to listen to.

There are so many plots going on in this novel, and so many coincidences, it can feel hard to follow - but it's a testament to Kate Atkinson's storytelling that it all works and weaves together beautifully. I did not want to stop listening to this, and I wanted to restart as soon as I was done! My one complaint is that Ellen Archer made Jackson Brodie sound dim-witted and slow - and he's anything but.

I have read complaints that the coincidences are just too numerous to be believable, but for me, Atkinson makes it very easy to fall fully into her world. There ARE loose story ends, and stories we'll never fully know, actually one of the things I like about Atkinson's writing -- true to real life in that sense.

I am loving all of the Jackson Brodie books - this one is different from the others in that it's even more internal, we hear more of what each character thinks and believes, and the plot is slower to kick off - but once it does, look out! You'll be in for a twisty, satisfying read.